Ringgold: Muldrow’s Tate Helps Upset No. 2 Team In Nation

Former Muldrow standout Fontana Tate played a big role in an upset win for Northeastern State University’s women’s basketball team Wednesday.

Former Muldrow standout Fontana Tate played a big role in an upset win for Northeastern State University’s women’s basketball team Wednesday.

Tate scored a career-high 23 points to help lead the RiverHawks to a 59-44 win against Emporia State (Kan.), the No. 2 ranked team in NCAA Division II. It was the first loss of the season for Emporia State (17-1, 8-1 in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association) and it was also the second straight win for NSU (9-8, 6-4) against a ranked opponent. On Saturday, the RiverHawks beat then-No. 23 Fort Hays State (Kan.).

Wednesday’s win also made school history for NSU as it was the highest-ranked opponent the RiverHawks have beaten.

A junior guard, Tate shot 6-of-12 from the field and 8-of-10 from the free-throw line in Wednesday’s win. She also made three 3-pointers and grabbed nine rebounds.

"Fontana made some big shots," NSU coach Randy Gipson said following the game, in a statement released on NSU’s athletic department. "She’s aggressive and ready to score. Some of our new players have been a bit timid to score, but Fontana isn’t timid and you need that kind of leadership when you play teams like this."

In 15 games played this season, counting Wednesday’s win, Tate is averaging 12.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.

Buck Ringgold is a Times Record sports writer. Email: bringgold@swtimes.com. Twitter: @BR_TimesRecord.